Newcastle coach Nathan Brown has admitted the pressure of being favourites in the ‘Spoon Bowl’ against Wests Tigers was too much for his young team to handle as they capitulated on Sunday eventually going down 33-12.

‘It was the first time in 18 months, I suppose, that we’ve been favourites,” Brown said. 

“And we did build it up as a big game, because it was an important game. 

“Whether that made people focus on the result a little more, whether that played a part in it, it was definitely our worst performance this year, without a doubt.”

The Knights next play the Bulldogs at Belmore.